For someone who belongs to a marginalized or minoritized group, having an ally can have a significant impact, especially on their emotional and mental well-being.

In the November NATA News, NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee District Four Rep. Samar Long, MSEd, AT, ATC, interviewed Marisha Little, LAT, ATC, and Chris Dake, EdD, LAT, ATC, with the University of West Florida, about their efforts to increase awareness of the athletic training profession on the Navajo Reservation.

The athletic training profession equips ATs with a diverse set of skills that allows them to work throughout health care. While some athletic trainers work directly with patients and athletes in the clinical setting, others can be found in hospital administration and occupational health.

Leah Friedland, MS, ATC, is the program leader for Workforce Health and Safety at Northwestern Medicine Hospital.

By Lovie Tabron MS, LAT, ATC, CISM, ATs Care Commission Chair

Athletic trainers impact health care through action before, during and after an injury. What about when the action needed is a silent yet present response? ATs must take action to prevent suicide.

Editor’s note: NATA reached out to athletic trainers who participated in the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo to learn about their experiences for a blog series called My VNATA Experience. If you would like to share your thoughts on VNATA 2020 as well, email marketing@nata.org. 

Editor’s note: NATA reached out to athletic trainers who participated in the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo to learn about their experiences for a blog series called My VNATA Experience. If you would like to share your thoughts on VNATA 2020 as well, email marketing@nata.org.

Editor’s note: NATA reached out to athletic trainers who participated in the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo to learn about their experiences for a blog series called My VNATA Experience. If you would like to share your thoughts on VNATA 2020 as well, email marketing@nata.org.

NATA, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) hosted a three-part virtual educational event to help parents, guardians and community leaders make informed decisions about sports participation during the pandemic.

Editor’s note: NATA reached out to athletic trainers who participated in the 2020 NATA Virtual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo to learn about their experiences for a blog series called My VNATA Experience. If you would like to share your thoughts on VNATA 2020 as well, email marketing@nata.org.

Athletic trainers have found themselves in unique positions during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been able to work alongside other health care professionals assisting in a variety of capacities. Whether checking temperatures, testing possible coronavirus-positive people or integrating telehealth, ATs have proved their value.